Improvement in muzzle-bits for horses



UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE.

ANDREW J. SHORT, OF GYPSUM, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN MUZZLE-BITS FOR HORSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 186,371, dated January16, 1877 application filed November 16, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. SHORT, of Gypsum, in the county of Ontarioand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Muzzle-Bits; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of referencemarked there on, which form a part of this specification.

The invention consists in the combination,

with a bit, of an adjustable and detachable muzzle; and the objectthereof is to prevent the cribbing and biting of horses and mules; toprevent colts from acquiring the habit of flapping the lower lip and thetongue, and to cure such habit when acquired and it is made adjustable,to suit different-sized animals, and detachable for. the obvious reasonthat it may not be always required, and, when not required, is detached,leaving the bit portion intact and ready for use as a bit only.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents aview in perspectiveof my muz zle-bit, and Fig. 2 a perspective view of the muzzle portiondetached.

The bit A may be of any of the approved forms, provided with downwardextensionsB of the cheek-pieces, and -similar upward extensions C, fromthe former of which the muzzle D hangs, and is attached in a mannercapable of adjustment, and from the latter the bit is supported atdifferent angles by the head-stall. The muzzle portion D consists ofopen side pieces a. a, connected at the bottom by muzzle-bars b b, saidside pieces a a being fastened to the downward extensions B byclamp-screws e c, which may pass through the slots (1 d d of each sideB, or the holes ev therein, whereby the muzzle may be adjusted at anyangle to suit the incline of the :mouth. In the example shown the slotsd are coincident with slots 01 in the muzzle D, in which the end buckleof each rein may be made fast to the muzzle-bit.

The muzzle-bars b b may have a central bar at right angles, which willprevent a horse from the side cribbing of hitching-posts.

In the upward extensions of the bit portion two witnesses.

- ANDREW J. SHORT. Witnesses:

A. E. H. JOHNSON, J. W. HAMILTON JOHNSON.

